By Tupou Vaipulu Jr.

The Fanga’uta Lagoon Bridge project that was expected to be completed in 2024, is ongoing and projected to be completed within the next three years.

The 720-meters bridge was planned to be completed by this year, but due to the lack of finance and funding, the process of the project has been slower than expected.

The Project Coordinator and Procurement specialist,  'Ana Bing Fonua, said that all that is left to do, was for them to complete the process of the procurement and finalize the funds with the Asian Develobment Bank (ADB).

'Ana said that a "major ADB mission meeting" will be held in Tongatapu in March 2024. This is also the deadline for their procurement, which 'Ana was confident will be complete by the end of this month. 

She said that the COVID-19 outbreak and the HTHH volcanic eruption had not affected their efforts in completing the design for the project at the time. A team of geotechnichians arrived a month before the borders closed in 2020.

“Our team of geo-tech surveyors were stuck here – but they were able to finish the work which is, a good thing!”